positions
Post-doc position in the SYMBIOSTART NCN Sonata BIS project!
Position overview
The Institute of Evolutionary Biology invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to apply for a three-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship as part of the Polish National Science Centre Sonata BIS project led by Dr Anna Karnkowska, called “Unravelling the establishment of endosymbiosis: quest for intermediate evolutionary stages among microbial eukaryotes (SYMBIOSTART)”. The successful candidate will join the Genomics and Evolution of Microbial Eukaryotes team.
The SYMBIOSTART project’s main goal is to understand the establishment of endosymbiosis by identifying and characterizing novel protist-endosymbiont systems at intermediate stages of endosymbiosis. We will screen various freshwater environments for such interactions, isolating and identifying partners using microscopic and genetic methods. The organisms in the intermediate stages of endosymbiosis will be studied at the level of genome evolution and at the level of gene expression regulation that accompanies the endosymbiotic interaction. We will also examine the ultrastructure of the studied cells which – together with genetic information – will reveal the nature of the studied systems. Experiments on established cultures of protists and their endosymbionts will enable a deeper understanding of the endosymbiosis process, including identifying the genes encoding proteins essential for its early stages.
The work will include:
- Participation in fieldwork and wet lab research, including the acquisition of material for further research, single-cell picking, establishing cultures, DNA/RNA isolation and sequencing.
- Microscopy (light microscopy, FISH, TEM) and genomic characterization of newly identified organisms and their symbionts.
- Bioinformatic analyses of genomic and transcriptomic data.
- Preparation of publications, presentation of results, supervision of students participating in the project.
- It is expected that the post-doc will travel for project-related meetings and conferences as well as potential training to other laboratories.
The ideal post-doc candidate will have a strong interest in evolutionary biology and microbial eukaryotes (protists). This project involves the isolation and culturing of new protist-bacterial symbioses, their microscopic characterization, and the development of innovative techniques to achieve these goals. Additionally, the project includes genomic and transcriptomic analyses of these new systems. Candidates are not required to have extensive experience in all these research areas. We welcome applicants with expertise in either culturing and microscopy or in bioinformatic analyses and a willingness to learn. Most importantly, we are looking for individuals interested in non-model organisms and evolution of eukaryotes.
Requirements
- PhD degree in biology or a similar area obtained not earlier than seven years prior to the employment in the project (note: this does not include periods of maternity or parental leave). We also consider candidates who will soon complete their PhD.
- Experience in laboratory work and/or sampling;
- Research experience in cultivation of microorganisms and microscopy and/or bioinformatics and genome analyses;
- Good writing and oral communication skills in English;
- Experience in first-author manuscript writing;
- Scientific independence and team working skills;
Application Deadline: 31 October 2024
Start Date: 1 December 2024 or later
Monthly salary: 8700 PLN per month (gross), plus “13th salary” bonus
Application process
Applicants are required to submit the following documents in a single pdf, via email, to: dziekanat.biol@uw.edu.pl and a.karnkowska@uw.edu.pl with annotation WB-K-11/2024 by no later than midnight, on October 31st, 2024
- an application addressed to the Rector of the University of Warsaw including a signed statement on the processing of personal data;
- copy of a PhD diploma (for applicants without a diploma, a declaration of the expected date of the defense is expected)
- a photograph;
- professional CV including a list of publications;
- motivation letter including research interests;
- names and contact data (e-mail, phone number) of two academic researchers who can provide information about the Candidate;
- a statement, in which the candidate confirms having read and accepted the regulations for conducting competitions, as set out in Ordinance No 106 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw, from 27 September 2019, defining procedures for conducting a competition for the post of an academic teacher at the University of Warsaw(Monitor UW item 388; English translation).
Selection process
The applications will be proceeded by the Competition Committee of the Faculty of Biology following the aforementioned provisions of Ordinance No. 106 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw from 27 September 2019. The candidates will be informed about the date of the interview (online) and on the results of the competition by e-mail. The Faculty of Biology reserves the right to reply to selected applications only and to close the procedure without a ruling.
Enquiries
For more information on this position, please contact head of the project Dr Anna Karnkowska a.karnkowska@uw.edu.pl.
PhD student position in the SYMBIOZOANS NCN Polonez BIS project!
Project description
Symbiotic bacteria played a crucial role in the evolutionary success and diversity of eukaryotes. Through the uptake of once free-living bacteria, eukaryotes gained the mitochondrion for generating ATP at high yields as well as the photosynthetic plastid. The incorporation of bacteria into eukaryotic hosts has happened not only twice in the history of life. Numerous more recently acquired prokaryotic symbionts continue to play a major role in the evolution of eukaryotes, expanding their metabolic potential and diversifying ecological niches by nutrient provisioning, removing toxic metabolites, defending against predation and bacterial infections, and eliminating competitors. Such symbioses are extremely common among protists, which are single-cell organisms accounting for most of eukaryote diversity.
The project focuses on the analysis of the frequency and diversity of endosymbiotic (=intracellular) bacteria in euglenozoan protists that are very common and often dominant in soil, lakes, and the ocean. We will undertake a large-scale screening for endosymbionts among euglenozoans already available in culture and newly isolated strains, which we will establish from natural samples. In addition, we will evaluate the frequency and diversity of symbiont-bearing euglenozoans in natural environments, focusing on hypoxic and oxygenated freshwater and marine sediments sampled from the Baltic Sea and Masurian Lakes (Poland). For detection and characterization of symbionts, we will use a range of culturing, microscopy, and molecular methods, such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), fluorescent staining and microscopy, sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes and single-cell sequencing. The most interesting protist-symbiont systems will be characterized in-depth using light and electron microscopy and sequencing genomes of symbionts and their euglenozoan hosts. With this approach, we aim to understand the nature of the symbiotic relationship and the advantages that symbionts provide to their hosts.
Specific Tasks
- Bioinformatic analyses of Illumina and nanopore sequencing data
- Maintaining cultures of protists and algae: microscopy, preparation of media, transferring of cultures
- Isolation of DNA, PCR, Sanger sequencing
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization – preparation of samples and microscopy.
Requirements
- PhD student status and completion of a master’s degree in biology, biotechnology or a related field at the time the contract begins
- Experience in Illumina and nanopore sequencing data bioinformatic analyses
- Experience in maintaining cultures of microbial eukaryotes
- Experience in molecular biology, including isolation of DNA with kits, PCR, gel purification, Sanger sequencing, library preparation for nanopore sequencing, and single-cell sequencing
- Conversation level English.
What do we offer?
- We offer a contract for the PhD student within the project funded by the National Science Centre
- Starting date: as soon as possible, not later than November 1, 2024
- The salary of 2000 PLN per month for 3 months. With the possibility of an extension up to 12 months.
Application process
Application deadline: October 4, 2024
Interested candidates should e-mail project leader Daria Tashyreva (d.tashyreva@uw.edu.pl) with (1) their CV, (2) a motivation letter, (3) contact information of two potential references, and (4) a scan of signed, written permission for recruitment-related-personal data processing, which states: „I give permission to the University of Warsaw, registered at the address of ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, 00-927 Warszawa, to process my personal data for the purposes of carrying out the recruitment procedure, choosing the employee, and entering into an employment contract with the University of Warsaw, if applicable. I have been informed about my legal rights and obligations in relation to these actions. I acknowledge that providing the aforementioned personal data is done by me on a voluntary basis.“
Selected candidates will be invited for the interview on October 10 or 11, 2024. The final decision will be made before October 14, 2024.
